Role of Bees in Human Survival

Little things do matter and this is all too-true in nature, of which bees immediately come to mind. This point was brought to us by the box-office hit animated movie titled “Bee Movie” starring Jerry Seinfeld and Renée Zellweger, among other stars. In that movie, bees played an important role in food production, which drastically suffered when the black-and-yellow insects ceased to be busy making honey, literally.

Role of Bees in Human Survival

We should all be concerned when the likes of the bee colony collapse disorder affect our little friends. After all, bees are essential not only for their honey and beeswax but, more importantly, for their roles in food production for humanity’s benefit.

Many of our food crops for both man and animals depend on bees for pollination. Thus, many apiarists make a brisk living taking their swarms of bees from one farm to the next especially in areas known for being not so bee-friendly.

Just to name a few of the crops relying on bees for pollination, you have forage and legume crops (alfalfa and clover), fruit crops (apples and berries), nut crops (almonds and chestnuts), oilseed crops (cotton and soybeans), and vegetables (asparagus to zucchinis). Indeed, name any food crop and it is likely to have been pollinated by a bee.

It is estimated that if the bee population was somehow reduced by at least 30 percent, more than half of the world’s food supply will be adversely affected. With droughts, earthquakes and other natural and manmade disasters befalling us nowadays, losing the bees is yet another challenge to our survival as the dominant species on Earth. We may even go the way of the dinosaur and the dodo, no thanks to the elimination of our little striped helpers.

Roles of Humanity in Bee Survival

Just as much as bees have a role in ensuring the survival of humanity, we also have roles in ensuring their survival. This way, we can ensure that the symbiotic relationship we have with bees will endure for many more generations.

There are many things we can do to achieve such a life-sustaining purpose. First, you can talk about it, perhaps even look into local legislation affecting the life of bees. You will be surprised at how many people you can actually touch with this pet project.

Second, you should plant more fruits, flowers and vegetables in your garden to attract more wild bees. You never know if your small efforts to nurture the species in your garden can and will positively benefit outlying areas.

Plus, you will get the health and finance benefits of growing your own organic food produce in your garden. Now, that alone should encourage anybody to go into organic gardening even on a small-scale basis.

Third, you can know more about bees by joining local apiarist organizations. This way, you will be able to help out in bee conservation efforts.

When we help each other out, man and bees, we can make the world a better place for everybody. Now, that is the greatest thing that we can do for ourselves and for others – indeed an eco-friendly way to co-exist.